Apparatus and method for the spectroscopic determination of carbon

Abstract

An optical emission spectrometer for analysis, identification or identity testing of metallic materials, and a method for optical emission analysis of metallic materials with a spectrometer, wherein the spectrometer has at least one arc or spark generator for producing a discharge between an electrode and a workpiece in a spark stand chamber of the generator. A cleansing apparatus for air about the discharge includes a pump for feeding air into the spark stand chamber, and a container through which air can flow. The container contains an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or another substance that binds CO 2 present in air.

1. An optical emission spectrometer for the analysis, identification or identity testing of metallic materials, comprising:
 at least one arc or spark generator having a spark stand chamber, wherein said generator produces a discharge between an electrode and a workpiece in said spark stand chamber; and 
 a cleansing apparatus for air about said discharge, wherein said cleansing apparatus inclues a pump for feeding air into said spark stand chamber, and a container disposed upstream of said spark stand chamber, wherein air is adapted to flow through said container, and wherein said container contains an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or another substance that binds CO 2  present in air. 
 
   
   
     2. A spectrometer according to  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a washing device having an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or any other liquid that binds CO 2  present in air. 
   
   
     3. A spectrometer according to  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a washing device having a solid bed of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or any other substance that binds CO 2  present in air. 
   
   
     4. A spectrometer according to  claim 1 , wherein said pump is a diaphragm pump that can be operated with at least two rates of delivery. 
   
   
     5. A method for optical emission analysis of metallic materials, including the steps of:
 providing a spectrometer having at least one arc or spark generator having a spark stand chamber; 
 passing ambient air through a container that contains a substance that absorbs CO 2  present in the air that is to be cleansed to produce CO 2 — depleted air; 
 passing the CO 2 -depleted air into the spark stand chamber, which excludes ambient air; 
 generating an arc or spark discharge in the spark stand chamber; and 
 analyzing the spectrum of the discharge to aid in the identification or identify testing of metallic materials. 
 
   
   
     6. A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the container is filled with a bed of a hydroxide of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal or any other solid material that binds CO 2  present in air. 
   
   
     7. A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the container comprises a washing device having an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or any other liquid that binds CO 2  present in air. 
   
   
     8. A method according to  claim 5 , which includes the further step of providing a diaphragm pump for conveying cleansed air into the spark stand chamber, wherein the diaphragm pump initially conveys cleansed air into the spark stand chamber at a first flow rate before the arc or spark is generated, wherein the diaphragm pump is then switched to a second flow rate immediately prior to or after the arc or spark has been struck, and wherein the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate.